December 30, 2010

Thanks for all of the great presents!

Merry Christmas Mom, Dad, Callie, Olivia and Samuel!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas........

Family!

What a joy it was to hear all of you on Christmas. Although the time was short the conversations were uplifting and are carrying me through each day. Thanks for the support and all that you do!

I don't think I expressed my gratitude enough for all of the gifts. Thank you so much. My Christmas was very enjoyable and thrilling. 

   During the holidays things seem to slow down as families prepare for trips or to host, but with the holidays over the work seems to be picking up again. Along with a change of pace out here I am noticing changes in myself. After 2 months of doing something it starts to become a habit and then it becomes easier to do. That's how life is right now for me. I am noticing myself doing things subconsciencly that before I took time to think about. All of these things are related to missionary work and help the work progress so I feel like these habits are sucessful ones.
   I am treating the mission more like a lifestyle now as well. Before I had an outlook on it similar to Field Training. Just a program in which I needed to do my best and complete. It kept me focused but not personally fulfilling or sucessful. But I have come to understand that it is a lifestyle now and as I embrace that I am able to focus more on the Spirit. And as I do that my success is not measured by numbers but rather by, as Dad told me on the phone, "planting seeds." And seeds are being planted everyday out here, every hour in fact. 
   So I would like to start telling you all more about the actual details of the past week. I think you all might enjoy this as it will give you a taste of what I am doing out here. 
   So this past week, since we talked on Saturday, has been very fulfilling. We have this family from Puerto Rico, George Ramirez,  we have been trying to teach. They come to church every Sunday with his brother's family, Edwin Ramirez, who are members. Elder Macferran spoke on Sunday and the wife started crying, she later told him he really touched her heart with his talk. This is exciting because they have been really flaky with us in the past. Hopefully this will yield some commitments.
   I learned something this week. Hispanics are susceptible to dreams, or at least talking about them. In the past week we have sat down with at least 3 Hispanic investigators who each claimed to have dreams and asked us what it meant. This turned out to be very rewarding as we explained that we are all entitled to our own personal revelation. 
   We had a very interesting dinner last night as well. We have been working with this part member family here and found out they have a lot of member family friends. So we called up one of these families to sit down and talk with them about the Zimmermans, the family we are working with. We were on exchanges that day so I went over with my district leader and sat down to talk with the Howards, the member family. As we started talking we discussed how we could get the Z's involved and excited about taking the lessons Bro. Howard pulled out his cell phone and called up Bro. Z and told him he was sitting down talking to the missionaries and that we were all having dinner on Wed. night so be there. Despite his boldness Bro. Z agreed! After he hung up the phone Bro. H told us we were going to have  a 3 course meal so the dinner could drag on and we could have time to causally bring up the gospel. Well the dinner turned out to be 7 courses on fine china and religion was not even brought up until the beginning of the 6th course! Overall it was a great experience and great food. We left with a return appointment with Bro. Z and his wife in shock that we got him to agree to listen to the lessons. Success over seven courses.
   So from a week full of dreams, drawn out dinner appointments, and Puerto Ricans, what have I learned? That the Lord's hand is in everything. He is responsible for every "coincidence" encountered and every blessing received and as I continue in obedience I expect this pattern to continue.

Family, I love you all and am happy to see the Lord is blessing you all as well. Happy New Year!

Love,

Elder Cronin

A New letter, just in time for the New Year!!!

December in Elko

December 2, 2010

Family,

Thanksgiving was great! We ate with a family from Puerto Rico and with one of our English families. No one in the English family was under 6ft!. 

This week has been great. We are getting ready for the Christmas Creche, a festival put on by the church here in town that all denominations attend. Its quite the event. I'll send you all one of the invitations. 

We have been very busy with missionary work. Some exciting, some disappointing. But more than anything we see the blessings from the Lord each day as we endure. And enduring through - 13 F is tough.

I'm not sure about my transfer. But I have a feeling I'm getting transferred because I haven't received any mail from the mission office in the past 3 weeks which might mean that they are holding it down there so I can pick it up at transfer conference. I really don't want to leave but if the Lord needs me else where then consider me Nephi. 

How was Thanksgiving? Speaking of thanks I need to thank you all for everything you have sent me. The GPS is indispensable and the clothes are keeping me warm. Thank you all so much.

Well it might be fun for you all to make predictions about if and where I'll be transferred. We'll see if they come true. 

That is about all for today. We're going sledding today and it will be Elder Macferran's first time ever! Wish him luck! 

I love you all, Till next week,

Love,
Elder Cronin

P.S. can you send family pics!!!! Thanks


December 9, 2010


Family,

I'm staying in Elko!!!! Another 6 weeks in this paradise! I really love it here. With the holidays coming up I am surprised how much I feel like I'm at home. The members here are great and have been very supportive in the missionary work. Not that it makes our job easier but their help really progresses the work beyond what two young men can do.

We have our first baptism coming up on Saturday! Peggy Remick has made the decision to enter the waters of baptism. I'll be sure to send pictures next week. I've already shared her story with you all and what a long way she has come in order to make this covenant. We are all proud of her.

We got a truck! A Chevy Colorado 4x4! Her name is Tiburon, it means shark in Spanish. I'll send pictures next week.

I am so full right now it is hard for me to think and write at the same time. Every P-day morning the Sargeants cook us breakfast, and its huge, and we eat everything! So I should be good on food for the next week after that meal.

We are eating well here though. Lots of member meals still and really good conversations with them. We went sledding again after I e-mailed you all last week and it was a blast! I'll attach some photos.

Well that's about it for mundane missionary activities. I want to tell you all about our new neighbor. Her name is Carrie Bruno. She teaches at the college here in town and just moved in next to the Sargeants. She is pregnant and single and seems to be doing well for herself. After getting to know her I was blown away realizing that I was here in Elko for many reasons but I believe that she is one of them. She is not a member and has never taken the lessons or much less talked to missionaries. We are very close as friends now as she has made us brownies and cookies and even showed up to the Spanish branch Christmas fiesta we had last week. No she doesn't speak Spanish, but she did accept our invitation. So hopefully she'll continue that pattern and accept some other invitations. :)

Also I am learning so much about myself. I am changing for the better and striving each day to become more Christ-like. I never took the time to study or even think about what it meant to be Christ-like before my mission but Preach My Gospel has really opened my mind to the changes I need to make and the happiness those changes will bring.

Family I love you all and will miss you during this holiday season. I just realized we will both have a Christmas this year in a new place. So keep that in mind. We have that in common.

Feliz Navidad!

Love,
Elder Cronin


December 16, 2010


Family,

I finally got all the held up packages!!!!! Thanks so much for all the love!

Guess What!? I had my first baptism Saturday! And my first confirmation the following Sunday! Enjoy the pictures. We baptized and confirmed Peggy Remick. Its amazing the change you could see in her immediately after coming out of the waters of baptism. She has the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost now.

The mission is going great. I just had my first interview with President Christensen  yesterday. He is a great and intelligent man. I feel safe knowing that my every move here on my mission is directed by him. He is a man of God.

The blessings are pouring in from our Heavenly Father this transfer. We have been able to break through with a few more of our investigators recently and there is no doubt in our mind that this is a direct result of blessings from Him.

We are staying fed, or stuffed is more like it. I'm surprised I haven't become obese yet!

I got to go on exchanges with Elder Shields the other day. I t is such a small world. I don't know if you all know him but he is from Mississippi if you couldn't gather from the name and what a fun time we had! We reminisced about the good 'ole times back home and about our mutual friends. Whats more was when people asked where we were from and we both responded with, Mississippi! Too funny. He is my Zone Leader, and is an outstanding missionary with an incredible testimony, unshakable.

By direction from President Christensen we have been given the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon cover to cover. But this time we are asked to focus on Christ. We mark each reference, attribute, and dictation by our Savior. This time through I am learning much more than I did before. I am learning how the Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ and in doing so I can feel myself drawing closer to him. Sometimes we lose focus on our foundation especially in times of Christmas celebration. While we should always remember Him, this is the time of year when we reflect on His birth. But more important is what the birth means for us. It means we can become cleansed from sin, to be able to return to live with Him for eternity with our families. What a tremendous gift!

The only gift I could ever want I have already received. That is a way to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I am so thankful for this opportunity that many of you who are reading this have helped provide for me to share the message of this gift with the people of Eastern Nevada.

I love you all and cannot wait to talk to you all on Christmas!!!!

Love,
 Elder Cronin 

Thanksgiving Day, 2010

Family,

Happy Thanksgiving! I am most thankful for those who helped me get to where I am today! Thank you all!

Vegas was a blast. My companion got to baptize a family he worked with before while we were down there. I was able to watch and it was an amazing spiritual experience. It was Spanish service so I was able to practice my Spanish quite a bit. Elder Stant was there too! We got to catch up a bit and he seems to be doing great!

The Vegas missionary life is much more fast paced than what we have here in Elko. I really enjoy it down there too. So if and when I get transferred down to the valley I'm ready for it. For example on average we probably contact 2-3 people per day here in Elko. In the valley missionaries get about 20-30 contacts in one day. 

While we were in Vegas we got to hear from Elder Bowen of the 70. He put alot of things into perspective for me. He said something that I will always remember because it is something that I have always been taught. He said, " When you know who you are, you act differently." 
Dad used to always tell me before I'd go out with friends or away form the house, "Remember who you are." Truthfully I used to think that just meant to remember that I am a Cronin. And coming from a town where the name Cronin is rarely unheard of, I thought that just meant to not do anything to embarrass our family. As I have grown up I realize what Dad really meant. Sure, on the surface it was so that when someone looked in the paper they didn't read negative headlines about our family, but ultimately to remember who I am was to remember what I had been taught. Because that is what made me who I was. To go back on the things I had been taught would be to forget who I am. Part of what I had been taught is that I am a child of God. And in being as such I have certain responsibilities and expectations. To go against those or to forget who I am would be to deny my relationship with God. And ultimately deny his existence. Long story short. As I remember who I am, I act differently.

So far we have hit a nightly low of -13 F. And my companion and I shoveled snow last night in 0 F! My nose hairs were frozen! We survived the north western blizzard that hit Salt Lake. I don't know if you all heard about that but it dumped about 8 inches of snow in about 1 hour or so. Good Times!

We already had a Thanksgiving breakfast from the Sargeants and are headed to a 3 Oclock appointment for dinner that includes sledding! Then we  have another dinner around 6! Both dinners we will have investigators there with us! I'll be eating my fair share of Thanksgiving dinners today, wish me luck!!!!

So speaking of investigators, let me give you a little synopsis of how things are going here. The English work is showing us more success than Spanish work here. But that is just a result of the population and population density of each culture. We do most all of our work through member referrals and lessons with them present. So far we have 3 people set for baptism before Jan. 1st. Don't count these chickens before they hatch. I'll let y'all know who keeps their commitments. But all three are progressing successfully as of right now. 

I love you all, and wish you the best Turkey Day ever! Eat your hearts out and enjoy the presence of family. I wish I could be there the Lord needs me here. 

Love,

Elder Cronin

More Pictures from Elko!

My First Transfer - Elko

A new perspective on a missionary

Nice Tie!!

Help Others On Their Way!

Zippity Do Dah!!

Add caption

Traveling to Vegas!!

November 17, 2010

Family,
It might seem odd that I am e-mailing today but we are heading down to Vegas tomorrow for a conference with General Authority Elder Bowen, he is touring the mission. Its what we call a mission vacation. And because we are leaving tomorrow we have our P-day today.
   I'm so excited to hear of your progression. Things are progressing here in Elko including the weather. We have been into the 30's so far but nothing colder than that and it seems to be a bit bi-polar as well seeing as how its 58 today and sunny. Which, surprisingly seems warm.
   Thanks for all the supplies you are sending me.  My companion and I are really hoping we stay here for a while. With our next transfer only 3 weeks away there is a possibility that one of us will be transferred. It would be a shame if after all the winter stuff I have (which includes 4 pairs of gloves!) if I get sent into the valley. But I must go and do as the Lord commands and if I am needed elsewhere I will gladly accept.
   We get member dinners every night accept for on P-days.  In fact, we get member dinners/ lunches so much that Monday we had two dinners back to back. And of course we don't tell the families that because we don't want them to feel like they can't feed us and they receive many blessings for their service so we eat EVERYTHING. Needless to say I was incredibly full! But the food is very good. And the company just the same.
   My Spanish is improving slowly but its improving. We teach about an equal proportion of English and Spanish lessons. This is because we cover one English Ward which covers just a fourth or so of Elko and the Spanish branch which covers not only the entire city of Elko but 4 other cities as well. So we have a lot of area and some of which we haven't even touched yet. There is a lot of work to do here in Elko.
The English ward is about the size of Clinton ward and the Spanish branch had about 50 names on the roster but only about 15 show up each Sunday. The branch is only 2 years old though but some of its original members are inactive now. So we do a lot of less-active and part member family work around here. And so far we are seeing success. I can't say that we have had any failures.
Funny Event of the Week:
 So I told you all about Bro. & Sis. Sargeant. Well Sis. Sargeant stays at home all day because of her health mostly but Bro. Sargeant is a real busy bee. He reminds me of Doc. He is always doing something. So the "something" he is doing now is covering about 2 acres he has just outside of town with leaves. First he started taking his own leaves from his house out to his land. Then he started asking friends to drop their leaves at his house and he would haul them out to his property. So he was only taking about a load a day. He's been doing this since we first got here. All he has is a little 1993 Toyota and his cane. But he gets it done.
So the other morning we were studying in our apartment out back of their house and all the sudden we heard this big diesel driving down the ally behind our house. We looked out the window and backing into the Sargaents yard is this dump truck. It tilts it bed and out comes at least 30 bags filled with leaves! Bro. Sargeant had a smile on his face a mile wide when he told us he convinced the city to dump the leaves they were picking up from the neighborhoods in his backyard. Sis. Sargeants reaction was not as joyful however. She came out with a look on her face of utter confusing as she asked her husband, "What the heck is going on here?" He answered her with the same accomplished grin and she walked inside and called the city and told them to stop dumping! By the time they got word to stop they had already dumped 2 loads.  Those two loads took Bro. Sargeant 7 loads to get to his property! Funny old man! But the sweetest people I know.
  
A Clarification of Missionary Work:
   Some people think that as missionaries we harass and bug and probe. Well we do in a sense. But the important thing is why we do it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the doctrine of our Heavenly Father, is once again restored on this Earth. While technology has grown more in the past 75 years than it has in the past 2000 years alone we still cannot reach everyone to share the message of the Restoration. But God can. He prepares each and every person who has yet to hear the message to receive it. Some of those he prepares accept his preperation but others reject it. Our harassing, bugging and probing comes as a result of our commitment to find those who have been prepared by the Lord to receive the message. To find those people we simply invite. We do not pressure or demand, we merely invite. We invite you to listen to our message. Then we invite you to pray to know if that message is true. Then we invite you to listen for the Holy Ghost to confirm its validity. Then if you accept those invitations we invite you to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone who holds the proper authority given to them through Jesus Christ himself. Then we invite you to continue to live by God's commandments and endure to the end. These are merely invitations. We are not on a mission to change, to demand, to argue, or to belittle. We are here to invite. So if there are any of you who are reading this and have not accepted or even been offered the invitation, I invite you to listen to what the missionaries have to say. And if you have heard the missionaries before I invite you to pray about their message. Will you do that? If you accept this invitation I promise you it will affect you for the better. And if you decide to take this challenge, this invitation, write me and let me know of your experience!
Family, I love you all and am so glad to hear of the blessings you all are receiving and I know that because of your support I am seeing blessings as well!
It gives me indescribable joy to know we are sealed together for the eternities. Sometimes that might seem unbearable but I promise it is the greatest gift we can receive!
Love,
Elder Cronin
P.S. I could use my Doc Martin work boots. We do alot of service :) Thanks!!!!

November 11, 2010

Family,

Another week in Elko and finally we are met with snow! The first snow fell Tuesday night as we left a teaching appointment. It was Elder Macferran's first snow fall. He is from Florida, Tampa area, and has only seen snow twice in his life but never actually falling from the sky. Elder Macferran's mom sent some "dinner funds," so we took a dinner appointment on Tuesday to go to a local sushi dive, Kabuki. It was an all you can eat diner and I tried oysters for the first time. Delicious. And we rolled out of that place stuffed full with sushi. It was a great experience. One, because of the food but two because I learned something very interesting about the mission and about myself.
   As we walked into the restaurant there was music playing. And not just random elevator music but some pop station on XM radio. I recognized a few of the songs that I had listened to before the mission but there were some I had not heard. My first feeling was to ask if we could turn off the music. This is what we do when we are with a member or investigator in their home. But of course doing that in a public restaurant was impossible. So I did  my best to tune it out. As I turned it out I realized how unimportant music was to me now. Before my mission I listened to music all the time. It gave me motivation, hope, peace, and at times it helped me sleep. I was almost disgusted at myself to think how dependent I was on music. I realized sitting in that sushi restaurant that whoever was coming in through the airwaves was just a person, a natural human being, who before my mission I, in one form or fashion, worshipped. I could only bow my head and ask for forgiveness as this all came to my mind later that night. As missionaries we are "set apart." Some think that only means we are assigned or given a title, but what I know and have a testimony of is that we are "set apart" from the world. In every sense. Even from music. Now please don't misinterpret that. I love music. I enjoy playing it and listening to it. But the dependence and attachment is something that I will not miss. 

So I don't know how much I've told you about the Sargeants but they are the member family housing us here in Elko. They are in their 80's I believe and have 9 kids I believe. They are the sweetest and most missionary minded people I've met. They are always looking to do missionary work. In fact we were over there the other day getting some referrals form Sister Sargeant. As she began writing the names down her husband, to fill the silence, started telling us a story about his fence building days. She quickly cut him off saying, with a straight face, "Oh hush now, they don't want to hear about that, not be quite we have missionary work to do." Elder Macferran and I couldn't help but let out a few muffled chuckles. They are dedicated to the work. In fact they fed us whole wheat pancakes this morning! I am still full!

The work is really progressing here. We have a few solid investigators and I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch so I won't say any more than that. I will say thought that the Lord prepares and as we are obedient he leads us to find. 

That is so exciting to hear that the whole family might be together for Thanksgiving. Families are one thing for which I am eternally grateful. Samuel's doing Jui-jitsu!? Awesome! Keep us the good work buddy. Don't get too distracted by the video games! I'm glad to hear that every one is doing well and thanks for getting me the shirts from Mr. Mac and sending more winter stuff, whoda thunk it? That I'd be in the snow.

So I have one more thing to add to my Christmas list. We went to a member's house and I saw some posters on his wall of computer developed images of Biblical and Book of Mormon prophets and stories. The website is www.realheroposters.com. I would love a  poster of Moroni, Joseph Smith, or Alma. Oh and don't worry about the voice recorder deal. The I have is sufficient. 

Family and anyone else who reads this, one thing we stress to everyone we talk to, even members is that we can recieve answers to our concerns, questions, or doubts through prayer. Just like with school the more we read and study the more we learn but we can learn even more by addressing our concerns and asking the teacher to clear them up. The same applies to life. Our teacher is our Heavenly Father. And He loves each and everyone of us. We are all equal in His eyes and I can promise you that if you pray sincerely like it says in Moroni 10:4-5 that He will answer you. So if you have any concerns, doubts, struggles, or are just plain stressed about something, will you take your burden to the Lord? I promise you will be uplifted and enlightened. 

We do have a car up here. It's nick name is "Boriqua" or Puerto Rican. Its a Toyota Corolla. We are the only companionship up here without a truck! The snow will be a trial of our faith. And, yes I can pick up a comforter here so no worries about that. And we are allowed to go to the temple once a month if we are in Vegas. So hang on to the names and I'll let you know when we get to go. 

I love you all and pray for your success,

Elder Cronin (aka Clark Kent) - My nickname from a member family.

Elder Cronin's "Parents"

While Elder Cronin serves his mission, Brother and Sister Christensen will watch over him and help keep him safe and sound! Elder Cronin love them both from what he has told us.

November 4, 2010

So here goes the first week. I'll try and keep it short and sweet.

We have member dinners every night. So far we have had about half English and half Spanish member dinners. My favorites so far have been the Spanish ones.

My Spanish is not as good as I thought it was. A very humbling observation, ha ha. I am improving but sometimes I say some interesting things. For example we were teaching a lesson the other day and instead of saying that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet I said he was called by a prophet. My companion quickly corrected me. We laughed about it afterward though.

So far we have had the opportunity to give a few blessings. The members of Elko are excited to have Elders. They have had sister missionaries for the past year or so. We are very excited to be here though.

Everyday has flown by as they are filled with appointments and getting to know the people here. I can already feel a love for those we have taught. We have been doing a lot of organizing the past week to prepare to work here in this area. I am learning very useful things from my trainer, Elder Macferran. We get along very well.

There is so much to write but so little time so I'd like to share some of the main points of the week with you all. And hopefully I will get into the habit of this each week.

The funniest moment: We approached this man swapping propane tanks on his trailer, he looked Hispanic, but we introduced ourselves in English. In a Spanish accent he said, "I no espeaka Engles." So we addressed him in Spanish and he rolled his eyes and said with a polite smile and again in a Spanish accent, "I don't espeak'a tha Spanish." So we asked if he spoke Portuguese and he said, in a Spanish accent, "I speak Frances." Frances means French in Spanish. We all started laughing!! It was a nice icebreaker

The most spiritual moment: Not really one in particular but we are new to this town and get lost very easily but it is no coincidence that at times when we are lost that we end up finding the person we are looking for on accident. We might not have a GPS but the Spirit definitely guides us.

The Highlight of the Week: Eating at a Vasco "Basque, in English" Restaurant. Very garlicy food but a new and exciting experience.

Family, I am loving Elko and I know the Lord has me here for a reason. I love you all. I hope you are able to see the blessings the Lord is giving you all because my eyes are opened each day to new ones. 

I talk about you all to almost every person we come in contact with. Without my family I would not be here. My family, you all, are my rock and my motivation. As we each choose to follow Christ I know we will have happiness and order in our lives and eventually we will be able to rejoice in Heaven together for eternity. Keep everything in perspective and strive to have the Holy Ghost as your constant companion. You can never be lost. Even in a small town in Northern Elko where you've never been before. This is my testimony. I hope it touches you all for the better.

Love
Elder Cronin

The First Transfer!! Hello Elko!!

Family,
Go go go!! You can make it through 2 Nephi! This is one of my favorite books in the Book of Mormon. Especially chapter 31. You cannot read that chapter and say no to baptism!
I am in the field, finally! My first transfer is in Elko, a mining town on the north border of Nevada about the size , population-wise, of Clinton. My companion, Elder Macferran, and I are the only Spanish speaking missionaries here. We cover one English ward and the rest of the city for Spanish-speakers.
I decided to keep up with the e-mailing so expect an e-mail every thursday from me and in the field I actually get 1 hour each P-day (Thursday). So I will wait for a response from you within my hour. I can't go back to it later like I did at the MTC.
So the last few days have been amazing. Let me tell you about them. I woke up at 3am Tuesday morning and left our room by 5am with all of our suitcases and luggage. We got to the airport and boarded the plane to Vegas around 8:30am. I sat in the window seat next to Donald Counsellor, an architect from Montana. There was no one sitting inbetween us on the three seat row so it made communication with him very easy. In fact as soo as I sat down I introduced myself and aside ffrom the 30 minute nap we both took after we reached cruising altitude we talked the whole flight. Before the plane took off I got to know Don. He has two kids, both grown with children and they live in Seattle. Him and his wife along with one of his cousins and his wife were on there way to vegas for 3 days. They were going to stay in the Venetian and see The Beattles version of Circ 'de Soile. He hadn't been to Vegas sinve 1980, when the only strip was the Old strip with Circus Circus. As an architect he said he was more interested in the buildings themselves than what was inside of them. He mentioned in passing that he didn't gamble. I asked him why not? His response was that he didn't find it fun and knew that the only reason those buildings stand tall on the strip is because the house always wins. And there is no sense thingking you will be 'that' person who wins big. A waste of time, he said. I agreed. I related a story of some people I know who becaome addicted thinking they could win big. He then told me that he had an uncle who was a professional card player in Montana and lost his house in a high stakes game. He was young when that happened but he remebered thinking at that age that gambling was not worth it. It goes to show that everyone can be a good example, some are just good examples bad things.
    We talked briefly about my role as a missionary. He was fairly familar with what I do because of the members he lives near but he didn't ask any doctrinal questions just logistical. He mentioned he had been studying in a bible class in Isaiah and they were through to chapter 9. My response was, better you than me. Joking obviously, I was reffering to the confusing nature of Isaiah. He said he enjoyed the book and Isaiah's determination to prophesy to the Jews of their destruction. To bad no one listened to him, Don said. We shared a laugh as I said to Don that he probably knows how that feels being a parent, because I sure know how it feels to not listen being a child.
By this time we were making our final descent into Las Vegas. The filght was a short 55 minutes. Little did Don know but that morning I placed a pocket-size English Book of Mormon in my breast pocket of my suit coat with the goal that I would give that book, the most correct book on this earth, to someone before I landed in Vegas. So as the plane descended I took a silent minute to write my testimony and some friendly words to Don on the inside cover where the night before I had glued a blank piece of paper for this exact purpose. I also marked in 2 Nephi were Isaiah 2- 8 are referenced and Moroni 10:3-5 & 3 Nephi 10:14-15. I waited until after we landed and were taxing into the gate to offer him the book. It took some nerves from me I can tell you that much. I didn't know what to say as I offered it to him. I simply told him that the Book of Mormon was a gift and I encouraged him to read the marked passages on the pages I had dog-eared. He graciously accepted the gift and mentioned how he enjoyed our conversation. I wished him luck in Vegas and told him I would look him up after my mission, and maybe come to Montana to visit. I don't know what lies ahead for Don but I hope he uses the Book of Mormon to find his way.
   As I landed, my first day in the mission field had just begun. President and Sister Christensen met us at the entrance to Baggage Claim and shared a scripture with us, Mosiah 7:33. This scripture is now known to me and the rest of the missionaries in this mission as the 'Baggage Claim Scripture'. He then challenged each of us to, between where we were and our baggage (a good 25 feet), to place a pass along card. We were off to get our luggage and one of the President's Assistants escorted me. He went up to everyone! maybe 6 people before we got to our bags. We were rejected 5 times. The only hit we got was from a lady who just sent her son on his mission, she was member. I gave her a pass along card nonetheless. Mission accomplished.
We were taken back to the mission home where we interviewwed with the president and ate Sister Christensens now famous breakfast burritos! So good. Then we left for transfer conference. I had heard that a friend form SVU recieved his call last year to go to Vegas but wasn't sure if I would be able to see him. However, as I walked into the Church building I saw him in the foyer. I called his name and immediatley he recognized me. We embraced each other and I couldn't help but think how amazing it was to see him in the field. To see us both in the Field. We had both come so far to serve the Lord.
Shortly after we, the new missionaries, were escorted into the Chapel to recieve our first transfers. I was assigned to Elder Macferran to the Elko Zone. I had no idea what that entailed or where it was all I knew is it was cold becuase as I stood up in front of the 167 missionaries there to receieve my assignment Pres. Christensen told me I would need a jacket. Luckily I cam prepared because you all bought me the perfect one for this transfer. An inspired purchase if you ask me.
It is an 8 hour dirve to Elko form Vegas so we spent the night in East. This is probably the most wicked part of Vegas. It consists of what is called 'Naked City' and Freedmont St. I learned all this as I was put on exchanges with Elder COlon and Wennerholm for the night because Elder Macferran fell ill with food poisoning. We went to a dinner appointment at the home of Sister Augustin a native Guatamalan. The food was amazing! I left there full and rolling out ofthe door. She was very sweet and her testimony touched my heart. Later we taught the first lesson to some investigators, I forgot their names. But this entire night was in Spanish and yes I spoke and participated in  teaching the lesson. The only part that wasn't in Spanish was when I contacted Blaine as we walked back form our appointment. I told him who I was and his respnse was, "Where is your bike?" The ice was broken at that point and we began to talk about God's plan for all of us. He was interested and agreed to meet with us this Friday. Unfortunalty I am in Elko now after a long drive so I won't be able to participate in his progress. But I know that everything happens for a reason just like he said and that he met the missionaries that night for a reason.
We are in Elko now staying in a carriage house behind a member's house.
Everything is fine and I'm out of time now for writing so I need to go.
I love you all and will write again next week.
I could use some more long sleeve shirts 16 1/2 - 17'' necks and some gloves if you get a chance. Its cold up here! Oh P.S.  the temple district for this Zone is the Salt Lake Temple!
-Elder Cronin

Mom Goes Nuts in Belk!!

OK, I didn't really go nuts, but I did get a fun phone call while checking out at Belk today. It was an elder from Todd's mission office in Las Vegas. He was there getting ready to go to his first assignment. Well, being the overly organized mom that I am.....ha......I put off ordering his bike a bit too long and it wasn't at the mission office. So, the kind Elder Neilson called me to find out the details and location of Elder Cronin's bike. My first reaction was 'what's wrong'. After I got over fact that this call was only about his bike and not some other catastrophe, I realized I could hear Todd in the back ground just a little bit. OH MY!!! What a way to put a missionary mom into tears. I'm sure the store workers were wondering what was wrong with this crazy woman. At the end of the conversation, Todd and I were allowed to exchange messages, but we didn't get to speak directly to each other. It still made my day!!!!

So, I found out that he will be serving in Elko, NV. His companion is Elder McPheron. Elko is in the northeastern quadrant of the state. In fact, it's pretty much parallel with my sister and brother in law who live in North Ogden. I thought it interesting that Elder Cronin had to travel from Provo, to Salt Lake City, to Las Vegas, then 8 hours in a car back up to Elko. But, that is where he will start his missionary work. Hopefully we will hear from him tomorrow.

A note from Elder Cronin's Mom!!

I spoke with the Mission Office today and boy does Elder Cronin have a treat in store for him when he arrives. It's nothing spectacular as far as the world is concerned, but they do treat the missionaries with great respect and  attention. Just know that he is going to get a very warm welcome! He will arrive in Las Vegas early next week and be greeted by his mission president and his wife, and the many other missionaries already serving in the area. There are 18 new missionaries coming in, so Todd will most likely travel with them from Salt Lake! All of his future mailings should be sent to the address posted.  They will get all mail to him. So if you are sending something that is timely, allow a couple of extra days for delivery!!

October 14 and 21, 2010

October 14, 2010

Hey,

Well I only have one week left to do temple work. I don't think I'll get many chances in the field to go to the temple. So if you have just a few names you want to send I'll gladly do as much for them as I can. I'll need some money for travel when I leave the MTC. I don't know whether we are flying or driving and if we fly I might need money to pay for my bag. So if you could send 40 or 50 that should be enough to get me to Vegas without any problems.

Life is going great here still! We had another great week. It was a monumental week for me and my companion because we have strengthened our companionship beyond what has been the whole time I've been here. Neither of us were communicating with one another. We were only expressing our concerns through our interviews with our teachers. Our teachers decided what was best for us was an inventory, which we hadn't had in a while. An inventory is pretty much a brainstorming session for problems, strengths and weaknesses within the companionship. So they set up for us an hour and a half session for just the two of us, me and my companion, to talk. It was great! We talked about our strengths first. We both agreed we are obedient and set a good example for our district in that aspect. But as it turned out that was about the only strength between us we could find. So then we talked about our weaknesses and after 20 minutes or so discussing the topic we discovered what was lacking in our companionship was charity. It made me realise that I had never practiced charity or tried to practice charity before in my life. My companion said the he had and the feeling of true charity was beyond any other feeling he had felt. He shared his testimpny with me about charity in his life and it motivated me to want those same feelings and experiences. So needless to say we have aimed to be more charitable to eachother and the rewards have been amazing. We are closer as freinds now and we communicate much better. I am so glad to have insipred people working by our side like the teachers we have here at the MTC. 

I only have 12 more days here! I cannot believe it! It will truely be the saddest day of my mission leaving the MTC because of the Spirit that is felt here so often and so strong. I will miss the freinds that I have made but we are all enlisted in the same work and a great work at that. 

I have started reading the New Testament. I decided to tackle the New Testament in hopes of becoming more familiar with the life of Christ. Themessage that we share as missionaries is centered around Christ and his atonment so it will be helpful if I can make his life and sacrifice as strong a part of my testimony as is the restoration. 

I have also started another very interesting way of reading the Book of Mormon. Being away from school kind of makes me nervous because I might forget alot of what I have learned, but I know the Lord will provide for his servants. In my thoughts of school I realized there is a similarity between the scriptures and a computer program. As you read the scriptures there are many footnotes which take you to different references in different books. Much like within a computer program different lines may refer to a different set of code to be excecuted. Following me? So what I have started to do is starting in 1 Nephi 1:1 is following each and every footnote I encounter. And footnotes within footnote referneces are followed as well. So far I have studied using this method for about 3 hours and recorded my reference path. I have not made it past,  "I, NEPHI, having been born," and haver over 5 pages of references! I am learning alot about specific aspects of the scriptures as I do this. Whatsmore is that in this journey which started at the first chapter and verse of the Book of Mormon I have been led to the first chapter and verse of the Bible Genesis 1:1. Pretty interesting huh?

Well thats about it for now. I got your letter yesterday. How is Olivia liking braces? How are things going lately while Dad is in China? Tell him I said hi and to look for a letter.

Love,

Elder Cronin


October 21, 2010

Family!

I just got back from my last temple session at the Provo Temple! I didn't receive any names from you all though.. sad day. I don't think I'll get many more opportunities in the field to do temple ordinances so if you have sent some I will most likely just send them back for now. This last experience was great! We did another endowment session. And I love the ability to go into the Celestial Room and just ponder. It really is great. We also, for the first time, ate at the cafeteria inside the temple! The most satisfying meal I've had since I got here. Temple work is so amazing and it is so peaceful to think that we are helping someone else come into God's Kingdom.

Spanish is coming along wonderfully! I feel comfortable with the language but am still constantly studying. My goal when I get off my mission is to have literally mastered the language. So that when I'm on a phone conversation with a native speaker I sound like a native speaker as well. Unfortunately in person I'm immediately pinned as a non-native, or in Spanish, a gringo. Ha ha. Not only do I want to do this with Spanish but I want to work on English as well. I would like at the end of my mission to have mastered both languages. That might sound weird. How haven't I already mastered English? In a sense I have considering it is my native language but there is so much more to learn. These are my goals.

We had the absolute privilege this Tuesday to hear from Russell M. Nelson as he spoke for our weekly devotional. I sang in the Devotional Choir for my last time here at the MTC during this devotional as well. We have been waiting for an apostle or a First Presidency member ever since we got here because Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke the Tuesday before I reported! Our thirst was finally quenched. I still think the best speaker we had for devotional though was Elder Hinckley, President Hinckley's son.

I am very excited to get to the field! I am ready to fall in love with my investigators and share with them my testimony which my patriarchal blessing says will invite others to come unto Christ. I was destined for this work and am so glad to be doing it. Here at the MTC we have fake investigators that we teach. My companion and I have 5. And one is getting baptised on Saturday and the other on Monday. While the lessons are mock and the investigators slightly easy the feeling of bringing someone into the fold is unreal. I can only imagine how it will really feel.

I will e-mail you my field address later today and also send my packet home to you. As far as Christmas goes. Can I have a couple more weeks to think about it? I have some things in mind but I feel that might change. Also thanks for putting money in my account!

I don't know how e-mail will work in the field. I might just start sending you letters. The computers here are very locked down and I like that. I'd rather just avoid any possible temptations so look for a letter from me next week rather than an e-mail.

Send Rachel salutations of luck for her pageant. She said it will be streamed live on the web so have fun watching!

I love you all!

Love

-Elder Cronin

One letter successfully completed, 12 to go!!!